Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Oct. 14

Concerts, parties, support groups and more through Oct. 20

Published

15 years ago

October 13, 2011

The Martin Luther King Memorial dedication has been rescheduled for this weekend after being derailed by Hurricane Irene. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

TODAY (Friday)

The Latino GLBT History Project is hosting the sixth annual LGBT Heritage Reception tonight at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Forum (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) from 6 to 8 p.m. The reception, to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBT History Month, will feature a bilingual historical exhibition on Latino LGBT activism in D.C. over the last 30 years. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton speak. There is a suggested donation of $5.

NSO Pops present “Some Enchanted Evening: The Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein” tonight at 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). The program includes songs like “Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” “Shall We Dance?” and more. Tickets range from $20 to $85 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) has two exhibits, “Recent Paintings: Scapes,” featuring expressionistic paintings by Steve Alderton and “Clouded Leopard Labyrinth” which is a mixed media installation by Leslie Johnston, that will be on display through Oct. 30. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro presents “Booytlicious” a drag king show featuring Butch Kelly, Papa Woody, Busta Hymein, Ben N. Cider and Seymour Snatch. Lady DJ Beloved will be spinning. There is a $3 cover before 11 p.m. and $5 after.

Lesbian singer/songwriter Jeanne Mackey will be performing “Drop the Knight: A Memoir-in-Song” tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Takoma Park Community Center (7500 Maple Ave.). There is a suggested donation of $10 to $15.

Saturday, Oct. 15

Burgundy Crescent Volunteers will be working with the Neighborhood Farm Initiative today from 9 to 11 a.m. Volunteers will be weeding, planting and digging at a site near the Fort Totten Metro. Directions to the lot and more information can be found online at burgundycrescent.org.

Busboys & Poets is having its monthly youth open mic tonight at 5 p.m. in the Cullen room at its 5th and K streets location (1025 5th St., N.W.). The event will be co-hosted by Jonathan Tucket, a D.C. Youth Slam Team coach and Nichita Mason, a high school senior from Washington Math Science Technology High School. All people under 20 are encouraged to share their work. For more informaiton, e-mail [email protected].

Mixtape D.C. is tonight the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) from 9:30 p.m. to 2:15 a.m. Mixtape is a dance party for queer music lovers and their pals that features DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer playing an eclectic mix of electro, alt-pop, indie rock, house, disco, new wave and anything else danceable. There is a $10 cover for this all ages event.

Green Lantern is hosting a black-and-white underwear party tonight from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. featuring WET lube wrestling and a best booty contest. DJ Ace D.C. will be providing music.

Comedian Paula Poundstone will be performing at the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.) in Alexandria, tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $39.50 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com.

Sunday, Oct. 16

Zoom Urban Lesbian Excursions is taking a trip to the 31st annual Pumpkin Festival at Butler’s Orchard (22200 Davis Mill Rd.) in Germantown today at 1 p.m. Entrance to the festival is $10 and includes various attractions. RSVP online at phatgirlchic.com/zoom as the fee will be collected at the festival.

The D.C. Ice Breakers, Burgundy Crescent Volunteers and The Gay District are having their first ever “Men’s Singles Party with Board Games” night at 4141 N. Henderson Rd., in Arlington from 6 to 9 p.m. This is a BYO party and no RSVP is required.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial dedication has been rescheduled for today starting at 8 a.m. The ceremonial dedication will happen at 11 a.m. and President Barack Obama will deliver the dedication address. Some of the other program participants include D.C. mayor, Vincent Gray, Jennifer Holliday and Aretha Franklin.

Monday, Oct. 17

The Youth Working Group, a gathering of people who are committed to impacting the lives of D.C. area youth, will be meeting tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) at 6 p.m. Capital Area AIDS Prevention Effort is also having its monthly meeting at the Center from 7 to 9 p.m.

WEAVE, a support group for LGBT survivors of intimate partner violence/abuse will be meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lighthouse Center for Healing (5321 First Place, N.E.). For more information and to register, call 202-280-6391.

Gayyim D.C., a social group for Jewish GBT men, is organizing a group to see the film, “Mary Lou” at the Israeli Embassy tonight at 7:30 p.m. To RSVP, contact [email protected].

Tuesday, Oct.18

The Leukemia and Lymphona Society’s Team in Training is having a fundraiser at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) tonight 5 p.m. Team in Training is a program that trains people to complete endurance events while raising money to fund blood cancer research and provide patient services for those battling the disease.

Cameron Mackintosh presents a new 25th anniversary production of “Les Miserables” at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $39 to $155 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Wednesday, Oct. 19

The D.C. Ice Breakers will be having its monthly skate and social tonight. The group will be skating at Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Rd.) in Arlington from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. then they’ll hit a local bar for a social hour. Skating is $8 and skate rentals are $3.

Busboys & Poets presents “Who does Kalup Linzy this he is?,” at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. Linzy is a gender-bending performance artist whose low-fi productions feature self-styled heroines with references to soap operas, pop-music and tragic fame. This performance is in conjunction with the exhibit, “30 Americans” at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

The D.C. Log Cabin Republicans have their October general meeting tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Camden Roosevelt (2101 16th St., N.W.). This month will feature special guest, Don Blanchon, Executive Director of Whitman-Walker Health as he discusses the state of Whitman-Walker Health and the latest information about the AIDS Walk. For more information, visit dclogcabin.org.

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m, at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) across from Marine Barracks, for social bridge. No partner is needed. For more informaiton, visit lambdabridge.com and click on “Social Bridge in Washington.”

Thursday, Oct. 20

The D.C. Lambda Squares are having their club night from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.). This week will be plus with class-level mainstream. For more information, visit dclambdasquares.org.

Country music star LeAnn Rimes will be giving a special acoustic show at Riot Act Comedy Theater (801 E St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. to benefit her charity, “StandUp for Kids” which helps homeless and underprivileged youth. Tickets range from $20 to $50 and can be purchased online at riotactcomedy.com.

Theater

Don’t miss summer productions at Clear Space in Rehoboth Beach

‘Cher Show,’ ‘Pretty Woman’ among season’s standouts

Published

19 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Peter Rosenstein

Abby Lynne and Caetano de Sá (Photo by Deny Howeth)

“The Cher Show” at Clear Space Theatre is wonderful. I am always amazed at the talent they attract for their summer series. Kudos to Wes Drummond, the artistic director of the theater. “The Cher Show” is written by Rick Elice. Compliments to the talented director, James FitzSimmons, who brought to life this production. His immensely talented cast includes Shannen Hofheimer as Star, Breanna Lemerise as Lady, Abby Lynne as Babe, and Anya Kay, as young Cher. Each is a pleasure to both watch and listen to. They command the stage. Then more kudos to the entire cast and ensemble. Also, the creative team, which includes among so many who make this show a hit, choreographer Shondelle Graulich; scenic designer, David Chappell; lighting designer Brendan Smith; costume designer Valerie Beardsley; and the entire orchestra led by conductor, Jerry Birl.

But the actor who I was looking forward to seeing in the production, was a young actor I had written about, and reviewed, when I saw him at Clear Space two years ago. In this production he is Sonny Bono, and he definitely didn’t disappoint.

Let me introduce Caetano de Sá. I have written about him before, but his resume is worth repeating. It says; Height: 5’7 ½, Eyes: Brown, Voice part: Tenor G2 – C5, Build: Athletic. All true. Then you add to this he speaks Brazilian Portuguese, is certified in stage combat by the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a 2^nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Then as his resume of roles confirms, he can act, sing, and dance with the best. He does a great job as Sonny and is fun to watch on stage. Here he displays his talents as a singer and actor, and they are as good as I remembered them when I first met Caetano while he was still in school in 2024, and was starring as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” at Clear Space. At the time he was a rising senior at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee BFA Musical Theater program. I interviewed him, and Harry Sperduto, who played Tommy Devotee, after seeing them in the show, and being amazed by their talent. Since that time, I have followed their careers. When I heard Caetano was coming back to Clear Space for the summer, I reached out, and he agreed to sit down and chat, which we did. I knew Clear Space Theatre was planning a busy summer season. Their lineup of shows included “The Cher Show,” “Mean Girls,” and “Pretty Woman.” They always have talented casts, including the many college students who are getting their first chance to shine, which was the case for Caetano in 2024. Now he is back as a graduate, with more experience under his belt, a little more established. This season he was going to play Sonny in their production of “The Cher Show,” Martin/Coach Carr, in “Mean Girls,” and Mr. Hollister in “Pretty Woman,” and being a part of the ensemble. He told me he really enjoys being at Clear Space, and that his castmates are all talented. He is a lot more experienced than when he was here before, having performed in productions at the Prairie Repertory Theatre, the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Firehouse Center for the Arts, and the Sullivan Rep, among others. In productions as diverse as “Oklahoma!,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Hairspray,” and “Rock of Ages.” He now lives in New York City and clearly New York is the perfect place for an aspiring actor. He has an agent at Bramante Artists, who is getting him gigs, like the one he had at 54 Below and even a TV commercial for AFLAC.

“The Cher Show” is the second show I have seen at Clear Space this summer. After our chat I got one of the last tickets available that evening for “Pretty Woman.” In that production he has a smaller role, and is part of the incredibly talented ensemble. It is also an entertaining show and its very talented stars, Abby McDonough as Vivian, and Jaiden Leo Riley as Edward, are a pleasure to watch. Kudos to the talented director, Ashley Williams, and the entire creative team.

For anyone living at the beach, or coming for a visit, I urge you to plan a night at Clear Space. You won’t regret it. But know tickets for all the shows, and Sunday evening cabaret nights, sell out fast. So, I suggest you see what’s available online and buy yours today.

Photos

PHOTOS: World Pride March

LGBTQ rights demonstration held in Amsterdam

Published

2 days ago

August 9, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from the 2026 World Pride March in Amsterdam. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2026 World Pride March was held on Saturday, Aug. 8 in Amsterdam. Tens of thousands of participants marched from Martin Luther Kingpark to the grounds of the Pride Village at Museumplein.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)